Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian: A Plantation Tutor of the Old Dominion, 1773-1774.

JOURNAL & LETTERS

OF

Philip Vickers Fithian

[Andrew Hunter,[27] Jr., to Philip Vickers Fithian]Nassau-Hall June 26th 1773.

Sir.

I expected notwithstanding your small offence you would have let me know before this time whether you had made any determination different from what you designed when I left you. If you design teaching before you get into business, there are now several considerable offers made to young men who are willing to go to Virginia by some of the first gentlemen in the colony; one particularly who will give as good as 60£, the best accomodations, a room to study in and the advantage of a library, a horse kept and a servant to wait upon you.

Dr Witherspoon[28] is very fond of getting a person to send him. I make no kind of doubt but if you were to write to the doctor but he would engage it to you, the terms are exactly as I write you as I have informed myself that I might let you know —

There are a number of our friends and class-mates getting into business as fast as possible, whether they are called or not I cannot pretend to judge, this much I would say that I think it is not any ones duty to run too fast. No less than four Debow, Reese, McCorkle, Allen, under trials by a presbytery, and Bryan[29] trying to get license to plead law in some of the best courts on the continent, if infamy were law or lies were Gospel he might get license either to plead or preach.

We have had the pleasure of Laura's[30] company here for some weeks past, I hope you will not envy us considering that continual pleasure is too much for such mortals as we to bear.

I beg that you may no longer refrain from writing, as I should be very glad to hear many things from you and other of my friends in Cohansie which you can relate with little trouble. If you have been trying with me who could keep from writing longest, I own fairly beat. The number of our students are considerably increased, and our school consists of thirty-nine – I have heard there are some disagreeable stories going through your country I wish you would let me know something about them. Doctr Ward spent part of yesterday with me in his return.

My love to Mr and Mrs Green.

I am, Sir,

Your very friend,

Andw Hunter.[JOURNAL]

July 1. [1773]

Rose at five. Read in the greek Testament, the third Chapter of the Acts. Breakfasted at seven. Busy the greater part of this Day in coppying off some loose miscellanous Pieces. P. M. Read the Spectator in my Course. Received in the Evening, by the Stage, a Letter from Mr and: Hunter jur In which he invites me to remove, & accept a School, of very considerable Consequence, in Virginia. He also informs me that four of our Class-Mates, are on Trial, under a Presbytery, for Preachers; & one has applied for Licence to plead Law in Maryland; Poor Boys! hard they push to be in the midst of Tumult, & Labour.

[Philip V. Fithian To Andrew Hunter, Jr.]Deerfield July 3. 1773.

Sir

I am sorry you impute neglect of writing in me to so wrong a cause, as an old trivial offense, I confess that I am to blame, and am willing to stand reproved by you, for having been so long silent. If I should offer any thing in excuse it would be great hurry arising from the duty of my station, on which account I have wrote only two or three letters since you left us. The school in town, which I had in view, as I make no doubt you know, is now occupied by Mr Lynn. And the terms of the school at Blandensburg are I think too low, to divert me from the course of my business. I would not however forego a good offer in a school abroad, for some short time. What you write concerning the offer of a Gentleman in Virginia, is, I think of considerable consequence, provided the conditions of teaching are not over burdensome; I should speedily agree to go and apply for the place, were I made satisfied as to this.

I shall however, beg the assistance of your friendship, to enquire in what county the school is; what number and degrees of scholars there are; and if you think the place suitable, and if the Docter shall think proper to appoint me to it, I am not unwilling to remove and accept it. Please to mention this to the Docter; and if he has not engaged a teacher, and is pleased to accept me, I hope you will acquaint me as speedily as may be, with what you can learn as to the time of beginning, the custom of the school, &c. You mentioned four in your last, who have applied to Presbytery, and are on tryal, I can tell you another, Mr Heith; he applied to the Philadelphia Presbytery; but came to town, I understood so late, that before he made application the Presbytery was dissolved, some of the Members however, being still in town, at his request, gave him sundry pieces of exercise, which it is expected the Presbytery will acknowledge, so that he is the fifth out of our class who is designing soon to appear in public!

I am Sir yours, &c.

Philip. V. Fithian[JOURNAL]

Fryday july 30.

Rose pretty early. Breakfasted with Mrs Buck. Wrote a Note, after Breakfast to Holinshead. Soon after which, I set out for Home, & by the favour of a young man who lodges at Mr Bucks I rode to the Ferry, & was home by eleven.

Received several Letters by the Stage to Day; One especially from Mr Hunter, in which I am pressed to accept the proposal by the Gentleman in Virginia. The Offer is very proffitable; Colonel Carter has four Sons. To a private Tutor for which he proposes to give sixty-five Pounds pr Year; find him all Accomodations; Allow him a Room for his own Study; And the Use of an eligant Library of Books; A Horse to ride; & a Servant to Wait. I am inclined to go, but dont meet with much Encouragement from those who have the Direction of my Studies.

We had Company in the Afternoon; & expected Miss Grimes, & Miss Ewing, til Evening, but they never came.

Saturday july 31.

Rose early. After Breakfast rode to Deerfield, & consulted with Mr Green[31] but he gives only his usual Indifference; Dined at Mr Nathan Leeks, the Day excessive hot; Drank Tea at Mrs Pecks.[32] & returned in the Evening to Greenwich.

Sunday. August 1:

Rose pretty early. Attended the Funeral of Mr Hugh Stethern. who died yesterday morning. Many are now ill of what is called the Fall Fever.

Mr Hunter[33] preached both Parts of the Day.

Monday August 2.

Concluded, this Day, with the Concurrence of Mr Hunter, to set of for Princeton, & know of Dr Witherspoon something more particular concerning the Proposal for my going to Virginia. Busy all the Afternoon in preparing to go. – Evening very hot. Went on foot to the Stage. – Drank a Bowl of Punch with Mr Richard Howel, & to bed by ten.

Monday August 9

Waited on Dr Witherspoon, about nine o Clock, to hear his Proposal for my going to Virginia– He read me a Letter which he receivd from Col: Carter, & proposed the following Terms – To teach his Children, five Daughters, & three Sons, who are from five to seventeen years Old – The young Ladies are to be taught the English Language. And the Boys are to study the English Language carefully; & to be instructed in the Latin, & Greek – And he proposes to give thirty five Pounds Sterling, which is about Sixty Pounds currency; Provide all Accommodations; Allow him the undisturbed Use of a Room; And the Use of his own Library; find Provender for a Horse; & a Servant to Wait —

– By the Advice of the Dr & his Recommendation of the Gentleman, & the Place, I accepted the Offer, & agreed to go in the Fall into Virginia—

I took this morning, from Dr Wiggins, a Balsam that has removed the Pain wholly from my Breast; he called it the Balsam of Cappewee. Probably I spell it Wrong.

Teusday August 17.

Rose at seven – Very much fatigued with yesterdays Ride – Found the Students well; & the Seniors in particular In high Spirits on their Expectation of speedy Liberty – I begin to grow sick of my Virginia Voyage; But sick or sorry I must away – I waited on the Dr, But he has yet received no Intelligence.

After Evening-Prayrs, by particular Requests, I attended in the respectful Whigg-Society[34]– The Members are Orderly – Their Exercises are well chosen – And generally well-conducted; & as to speaking, & Composition well-performed —

They conferrd Degrees formally on Six who are to be graduated in the College the ensuing Commencement. The Moderator for the Time being confers the Degree; The Formula is short & eligant, & pronounced in latin – They give also Diploma's, in Latin likewise, which are plain & full.

Expence of this Day.For the Hire of our Carriage 10s.For a Bowl of Punch 1s/6dFor a Glass of Bitters 4d Sum 11s 10d.[Letter of Philip V. Fithian To Elizabeth Beatty]Prince-ton. August 17th: 1773.

To Laura.

If I could only tell you the Incidents of Yesterday, you would laugh as loud & as cordially as ever – Smith did all the Oddities of Miss Cateness.

I was, & for my Life, could not avoid, being dumpish & melancholy, in the midst of Humour & Pleasantry – Smith[35] was in great Distress on Account of his approaching Examination; He is in the Senior-Class, & that Class is to be examined for their Degree tomorrow, so that he too was sour all Day. – Directly opposite to both was your Brother; he was noisy, & troublesome; We dined at Mr Irwin's. Your Brother kindly rode with us to the Ferry, where we parted; he for Mr McConkey's; We for Princeton. I am to day happy as Amusements & good-Company, in this lovely Habitation of the Muses, can render me.

There is yet, among my Acquaintances, a young Lady; & She is also, I firmly believe, one of your most agreeable Intimates, whose Friendship I think so valuable, & whose Manner every Way, is so peculiarly engaging, that if you should soon see her, whom you have sometimes heard me call Laura, give my Duty, my Love to her, & acquaint her with what I have often told you of her, that She is, in my undisguised Oppinion, "A Pattern for Female Excellence."

Tell her also, that a singular, & very important Occurrence, which has lately presented itself to me, seems to make it necessary, if it be any how agreeable to her, She should in some Way, chosen by Herself, signify to you that I may thereby know, whether She favours or dislikes what I have told her.

I assure you, Madam, so strong is the Esteem I have for that dear Girl, which certainly I shall ever retain, that neither, Place, nor Time, nor any Alteration in my Condition of Life, will blot it out.

This, however, I intrust only to you, & put so great Confidence in the many Expressions of your Friendship for me, that I hope you will use your Influence to persuade her that what I write is Truth.

I expect to leave Deerfield[36] & go Home next Week; But I am not determined yet upon going to Virginia. Dr Witherspoon desires & advises me to go – My Directors here seem backward, & rather unwilling. – I myself Am yet in doubt – But, on the Whole, it is probable I shall go down in October. But whether I do the one or the other I am always

Yours,

Philip. V Fithian.[JOURNAL]

Monday August 30.

Rose by half after six – Wrote a Letter to Dr Witherspoon concerning my going to Virginia – I hear that many of my Friends in this Place are unwilling I should go – I am indeed in a Dilimma – But I have agreed – Well, I must away – And I hope in the Kindness of him who was my Fathers God, & has been the Guide of my Youth, that he will save me from being corrupted, or carried away with the Vices which prevail in that Country – Wrote a Letter to And: Hunter – In the Evening, rode with my Letters, to the Stage – Saw there by Chance, the famous Miss Betsy Elmore: famous for Wit, Extensive Knowledge, but especially for Volubility of Tongue—

[Letter of Philip V. Fithian To Dr. Witherspoon]Greenwich august 30th 1773.

Revd Sir.

I am sorry that I may inform you of the dissattisfaction which my friends in general since my return home seem to discover, with my intention of going this fall to Virginia. However willing I am myself to accept the proposal and go, it will not be easy to break through the entreaties of those who are my neares[t] relations, and who have all along, with the warmest friendship interested themselves to procure my welfare. I do not intend by any means, abruptly to decline the fulfilling my agreement, but only desire to know, if there are not some to be found among the late Seniors who would willingly discharge me by accepting the offer themselves. If not I have only further to beg, that you would be pleased, Revd Sir, to favour me with the proposal of the gentleman; and so soon as there is a return from him, I shall be glad to know the time when I must leave home;

I am Revd Sir, with great respect your humble Servt

Philip V. Fithian

P. S. Letters come safe sent by the princeton stage, and directed to me at Greenwich.

[Philip V. Fithian To Elizabeth Beatty]Princeton. August 31. 1773.

To Laura.

As an old Sinner, who has been long accustomed to Mishief, cannot bear to think of quitting his much-loved Practice; so I, from Time to Time, with few Returns, am intruding my Epistles upon you.

I have just been reading Yorrick's celebrated Letters to Eliza: They are familiar – They are plain – They are beautiful. I love Eliza, from the admirable Description he has given of her: But possibly he has been wholly romantic; & only painted the Woman he could love; or, if has given his own candid Sentiments, & described that Woman in Truth; There is in America an Eliza I would venture, from Yorricks own Picture, to set against it; & let Yorrick himself be Judge, should I venture never so largely, I am sure I should succeed —

I was, yesterday, at Deerfield, & heard News enough – I was told that a civil, good looking Gentleman; who had been lately from N – n, told them he saw me there with you – That I was wild, & noisy – He thinks I shall make a damn'd droll Figure in a Pulpit, with Powdered-Hair; a long Cue; & deep Ruffles! – I fancy myself it would appear odd! – I was told there also every Circumstance of our Ride from Princeton to N – n. Of my being with your Brother in Philadelphia as I went up, & returned – Of almost the whole of my Company & Conduct while in Town.

It is something curious, tho' by no Means troublesome, that every part of my Behaviour, is in whatever Place I go, so circumstantially inspected. – I shall suppress all I heard of you, only that you are soon to be married, & I should not have mentioned this, but that I might let you know it was told in Triumph to dash me! – Yet if it had wounded my Soul I would have sustained & concealed the Pain, to outbrave such Insolence! I cannot help, however, when I am alone in my Chamber, reflecting on the Danger of the Impropriety I may possibly be guilty of in thus continuing my Intimacy with you.

But I turn it all off with a Smile, &, if the Report be true, with a Wish, in the Language of the Poet Walter to a Lady of his Acquaintance "That you may possess all your Wishes, as to earthly Happiness & Comfort, in the Society of him whom you have preferr'd to the rest of Men; & that you may feel as much for him, of that Anxiety which arises from Esteem, as others have felt for you" – I am going, next Month to Virginia, unless the Remonstrances of my Relations prevail with me to decline it.

But on I go little thinking how much I may incur your Censure by writing so freely, & so long – O Laura, I wish most ardently, that I could with Propriety, from the present Moment, spend all my hours near your Person. – They would then, with their purple Wings, fly along through the Sorrows, & Tumults of Life, wholly unnoticed.

Laura, yours

Philip. V. Fithian.[Andrew Hunter To Philip Fithian]Nassau Hall Septr 6th 1773

Dr Sir.

I am very sorry that I cannot answer your letter so much to your satisfaction as I could desire. Doctor Witherspoon is gone to New-England to the convention and is not expected home 'till the latter end of this week – he received no account from Virginia before he went from home. You may trust that I will let you know when ever I can hear any thing related to your prospect of going to the southward.

Mr Imlay[37] is gone from College and is not expected back 'till near commencement, however I have talked with some of his acquaintances, and they say he expects to go.

I would have the spelling of your name corrected, but the catalogue is sent off, and I suppose by this time is in the press. I must thank you for the good news you give me concerning the young lady's health.

I was very uneasy about the account we heard before you left princeton.

We go on pretty well in College, but I hope we shall have two or three of the possessed swine turned off when the Doctor comes home.

Do write me every week and give what news you can.

I am, Sir,

Your friend.

Andw Hunter.[JOURNAL]

Wednesday Sept: 8.

Received a Letter from Mr Hunter – No News from Princeton – Nor Virginia – Evening Mr Paterson came home with Uncle.[38]

[Letter of Philip V. Fithian To Elizabeth Beatty]Greenwich. Sept: 10th: 1773.

To Laura.

I hope the World is using you very well, & that you enjoy yourself in Contentment; & the Society of your Friends with Pleasure. The Reason of my saying this, is, because many People here are often enquiring about you; Where you live? How you do? When you will return? The Cause of your Absence? – And forty other things that none knows, or ought to speak of, but yourself.

You inform me that you propose to be at the approaching Commencement: It will not be in my Power, with any Convenience, to go – I can, however, give you a Caution; Let not Pity so much affect you, nor Fear so much alarm you, as again, (you remember last Fall) to excite Tears in your Eyes, or one sorrowful Ake in your Breast, if any of Nassau's bold Sons shall attempt once more, to support their Right by suppressing Impertinence & Violence.

There are many going from Philada &, I am told, some Ladies of Note & Eminence – There are many expected from the Southern Colonies – And, because of the Connexions, many from York, & the New-England Goverments. The Assembly, no Doubt, will be large, & splendid – And I hope the Exercises may be worthy their Attention & Approbation. Nothing hinders my being there but only my Purpose of going soon to the Southward.

I may not omitt telling you that – Smith as we were returning Home, pitied you from his Heart; An agreeable, & sensible young Lady, separated from genteel Society, & prisoned in a Room in the Woods, in the Midst of an unpleasant Country, like a penitent Virgin conscious of her Sins, voluntarily retiring to a lonely Monastary! – But he forgot, Laura, that infelt Peace, makes us always happy, even tho' our Circumstances be apparently distressful.

I am, Eliza, yours

Philip. V. Fithian.[JOURNAL]

Wednesday. Sept: 15.

Rose at seven; slept but little for I was affraid – Breakfasted on Oysters, at the Ferry-Mans, with John Holmes, Esq: – Had an Hours Conversation with him, on Lotteries – Whether they are just & lawful – He thinks not – At ten we came up to his Brother Benjamin Holmes's Esq: – They mentioned to me an Intention they have to erect, & establish a School, among them, that their Children may be taught, Latin, Greek, & the Practical Branches in Mathematicks – They desired to know if it would be convenient, & agreeable for me to undertake with them, to prosecute their Plan. But I must, with Doubt, away to Virginia– It would be a laudable undertaking if such a School could be founded in this Part of our Province; & I think ought to be duely encouraged —

I left Mr Holmes's about twelve, & came to Mr Hunters about four, seventeen Miles – Evening walked Home. Expence 2s/0.

Sunday. Sept: 19.

Rose half after six – Read some in Pictete – Walked to Sermon by ten; Smith Rode in order to go home with Mr Hunter after Sermon – Dr Ward seems very low, confined commonly to his Bed; the Disorder it is to be feared is a Consumption, & increases in malignity almost daily – How much will Cohansie feel his Death if by this Illness he is soon taken of, or by the Violence of it wholly disabled to practice among us, who has been so long successful in his Work! Received a Letter late last Night from Mr Hunter at College, and He informs me that the Dr insists on my Going to Virginia —

[William R. Smith To Philip Fithian]Philadelphia Octr 3d 1773.

Futurus Pedegog'issimus.

Fe-O-whiraw, whiraw, hi, fal, lal fal, lal de lal dal a fine song – commencement is over whiraw I say again whiraw, whiraw.

And what is more never was there such a commencement at princeton before and most likely never will be again. The galeries were cracking every now and then all day – every mouse hole in the church was cram'd full – The stage covered with Gentlemen and ladies amongst whom was the Governor and his lady; and that he might not appear singular Lee[39] was stiff with lace, gold-lace —

A band of music from Philadelphia assisted to make all agreeable and to crown the whole the eloquence of Demosthenes was heared in almost every mans mouth, so that the person who spoke last was always the hero of the tale – O murder! what shall I do I want to say a great deal to you but cannot for the girls who are almost distracting my heart – O murder! murder, murder I say what will become of me, murder, murder – I shall go distracted – I saw Dr Beaty[40] and Betsy – I gave your love to them – and indeed to tell you the truth I could not for my life help leaving my own heart, and love, and all with Besy – she is realy a sweet soul. I wish ten millions and she were mine, I should be a happy creature, happy indeed to the last degree – . I got cleverly up from cohansie early in the evening – My love ten thousand times and ten thousand kisses to all the girls of my acquaintance.

I cannot quit but must

Willm R. Smith.[JOURNAL]

Wednesday. Octob. 6.

Walked with Paterson, after Breakfast to Mr Hunters, where we met with Mr Smith, & Mr Irwin two young Clergimen, & Mr Hunter Junr. They came down yesterday, & inform that the Commencement was the most splendid, & honoured with the greatest Number of Strangers of any one, perhaps, since it was founded, May it still increase, & long flourish! – Immediately after Dinner Smith & Irwin set off for Cape-May– Andrew brings me Word that I must by the twentieth of this Month meet Mr Imlay in New-Castle, who is going down into Virginia. And I must at last, away – The thought is indeed hard!

Thursday Octob: 7.

Slept but little last Night; my Mind seems troubled and involuntarily disturbs me! Rose early – After Breakfast rode to Deerfield. Settled all my Affairs, & took a formal, final Leave of my Friends, & Relations there! Rode home in the Evening. By the State I received a Letter from Mr McCalla,[41] with a Suit of Cloths. Cost £6/16/6.

Expence in the Evening for a Bowl of Punch 1/6 —

Fryday Octob: 8.

To Day is the Fast before our Sacrament – O that the mighty God would teach me true Humiliation for my many Sin's, & give me Grace that shall enable me to hate & forsake them! – Grace to keep me right in the Path of Life, & to guide me to his heavenly Kingdom. – Mr Hunter preached two useful Sermons, describing worthy, & unworthy Communicants —

Saturday October 9.

Rode to the Bridge, & bought a Saddle, Bridle, Spurrs, &c. for my intended Journey – Returned before Evening, & of Saml Dennis bought a Pr of Sadle-Bags. —

Monday Octob: 11.

By Six up – Busy in Preparing for my Journey – Agreed with Uncle for his Horse; I am to give him 25£. – The Money to be paid in May next.

Teusday October 12.

Rose early; very busy – Had my Boots altered & mended – Was measured for a Surtout-Coat – Drew up a Form to settle my Affairs before I leave Home – Afternoon Mrs Peck, Mrs Hoshel, Johnny Peck, Stephen Ranney, Miss Abby Peck call to see me & take a final Adieu for the present – The Thought of Leaving Home haunts me at Times!

Wednesday Octob: 13.

Dismissed Study, & begin to take Leave of Relations & Friends! —

Dined at Mrs Brewsters, and at two went to Mr Danl Mashells; & from thence to Mr John Gibbon's, At all which Places I gave them my last Farewel—